Results of Work on Thermoemission Conversion,
Abstract
The paper reports that tests of the TOPAZ-3 thermionic reactor, similar in design to its 2 predecessors, began in 1972. By 1 March 1973, it had operated about 3000 hours at 5-7 kV, and efficiency was 30% higher than that of the first reactors. At the same time, tests of 1- and 5-element generating channels were conducted, with a 5-element channel operating for over 3000 hours at 1.7 W/sq cm. A single element with tungsten-rhenium emitter and niobium collector operated 2670 hours with initial power density of 7 W/sq cm dropping to nearly 3.5 W/sq cm by the end of the test. Unexpectedly great reduction in neutral component concentration was found in theoretical-experimental study of nonstationary cesium plasma. A triode thermionic converter, as a high-temperature thyratron, using a cesium-barium mixture at low pressure can close the circuit at up to 100 V, cathode temperature 1600C, current density up to 20 A/sq cm and voltage drop of not over 5 V.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 20, 1974
- Accession Number
- ADA002655
Entities
People
- D. Karetnikov
Organizations
- United States Army Foreign Science and Technology Center